Gordon: And yet, our National Government spends twenty million dollars a year to study and exterminate the animal, insect, and vegetable pests, but not a dollar is appropriated nor an hour of attention given for the study of preventive measures against the _human_ pest--the man gone wrong--the criminal! The greatest menace to humanity is not of such importance as the mould on apple trees; a weevil in the cotton plant, or even a potato bug! Why a poison squad of scores of men employed to determine the harmlessness of Benzoate of Soda in tomato catsup, when there are “procuresses” and “cadets” in every city? Father Creedon: What a terrible contrast! (to Judge Dykeman). Can nothing be done to remedy such a condition? Judge Dykeman: I think there should be; it has never been brought to my attention before. (to Gordon). Do you think there is a way? Gordon: Of course there is! Efficiency demands it! Think how much is lost through the non-productiveness of criminals and of the energy wasted by reason of our great army of two hundred thousand tramps. And add to this what must be the amount of the depredation of all criminal classes. Save this--make this an asset, not a depreciation. Under the present system, what a waste--what a sin against efficiency! We should stop this just as we reclaim the worthless land by irrigation and plan the conservation of our forests. Travesty: And how do you propose to accomplish it? Gordon: By taking the treatment of criminals out of local politics. Jim Poor: Can’t do it. Gordon: Yes, by enacting a Federal criminal code with a Federal police to enforce it, and no longer leaving the management of prisons to keepers and wardens appointed because they are good fellows who can get out the votes, but providing for their appointment from a Government school of criminology established for this branch of the service, similar to Annapolis and West Point. And above all, establishing a Federal bureau of criminal research and control, which will study preventive and constructive measures and make crime almost impossible by doing away with poverty, drunkenness and the thousand and one causes of crime. Some day a President will come who will make it the Government’s duty to do something progressive; then there will be less study regarding the accumulation of wealth and more research for ways to benefit humanity. That day will come! Oh, God! that this our Land might be the first to welcome it! The day when crime will be controlled! Jim Poor (sarcastically): When do you think that time will come? Gordon: When woman votes! Travesty (interested in spite of himself): It’s not a bad idea, “Federal control of crime.” I may use it some day in my campaign. What do you think of it, Your Honor? Judge Dykeman: I am impressed by the conclusions shown. Father Creedon (to Gordon): How did you find this out? Gordon: From getting at the point of view of criminals themselves. Father Creedon: But how did you do that?